Standing in a Garage
A church is the people, not the building.
Going “there” isn’t it.
Being a part is.
To Teach or Not To Teach
And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. – Mark 6:34
Throughout the Bible, the first reaction that Jesus had to the lost was to teach them.
This is not often our first reaction today.
Today’s church wisdom says that we should first build a relationship before teaching them. Or maybe we should entertain them for a bit and see how they like us. Or let’s not mention Jesus at all so they can see we are just normal people. Then, we’ll share the Good News in time….of course!
The compassion that Jesus had for the lost, and what He understood about their lostness, drove Him to teach them the Truth. Instantly. Immediately.
Let us be committed to finding new, creative ways….to teach.
Like a Child
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:13-14
I remember when my firstborn son Reece was two years old. He was in a constant state of exploration and adventure. He discovered something new every moment. And when he came to me, to Dad, he came un-jaded.
Children come with no agenda. They come expecting. They come hoping. They come trusting. They come only to love and be loved.
Check yourself. Come to Jesus like this.
Hope for Connecticut
The recent tragedy in Connecticut is unthinkable. Yet we must think about it. In fact, I believe we owe it to the children and others that perished to think about it. Many questions have been asked in the hours since the shooting, most of them around the issue of gun control.
As a Christian, I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. The Bible says that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). It is not the government, not the school system, not individuals. The government has no mandate to create truth, only defend it. The church and it’s leaders are the ones who shine the light of truth, morals, and righteousness into a culture. Without the church in a community, the truth has no foundation and it will cease to be heard.
That’s why your church is so important.
As a church planter, my heart is heavy. I see this tragedy as the ultimate example of exactly why we need the church: the presence of evil.
Evil will be with us in this world. It is the church’s job to stem that tide of evil and preach forgiveness in the Gospel of Christ. This tragedy seems like a failure of our ability to do that. But Jesus told us that His church will be victorious in the end.
If anything, this tragedy is a reminder to Christians that we carry the gospel light, and the church is the hope for Connecticut.
The church is the hope of the world.
It’s About Time
I was reading in the book of 2 Thessalonians recently, and I was struck by a particular subject in Paul’s writing. Mainly, I was impressed at how straight forward he discussed the subject with the believers in the church.
The subject is eschatology, or “end time” prophecy. In Thessalonians chapter 2, Paul begins discussing in great detail and passion the time of the anti-Christ and his defeat when Jesus returns at the 2nd Coming. To close chapter 2, and continuing in chapter 3, Paul the addresses the church with his normal encouragement and benediction.
The point is this: Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, thought it completely normal to discuss difficult end times doctrine with believers. It was a normal, common thing for New Testament Christians to discuss end time events.
My perception is that many churches today are ignoring the importance of teaching this important subject, filling the time instead with perceived “practical” sermons.
There is nothing more practical than remembering the eternal hope we have that Christ is ultimately victorious for us at the end of the age.
If your church hasn’t had a message on prophecy or the end times in the last 12 months, I humbly submit that you think of including it very soon.
How Evangelism is Like the Stock Market
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5
I was struck with this verse and the urgency from which it emanates. God urges us to redeem the time that we have to share Christ with others. To redeem means to “buy up”, and this caused me to think of two examples: the stock market and Christmas shopping.
If stocks are selling low, it is urgent that you buy them up now, quickly, before the opportunity is gone. And if the store is having a huge Christmas sale, you better go stand in line and be the first one there – it’s urgent that you do so and the time will soon pass to buy everything up.
Do we have this same urgency for redeeming souls from hell?
This passage was convicting and moving for me. I hope it is for you.